Santa will need jandals, not sleigh

Santa Claus will need to pack his jandals when he delivers presents with settled weather forecast for the Christmas period.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the best weather of the month was likely to linger over the North Island until at least Boxing Day.

"This is good for travelling or being outdoors," he said.

However, there may be a few weather glitches in the lead up to Christmas, with some afternoon downpours possible in inland North Island around the middle of the week.

A northwest flow was expected to build up build up over the South Island on Thursday and Friday bringing drizzle or rain to Fiordland and southern Westland, Mr McDavitt said.

But soaring temperatures were expected in places from Gisborne to Otago, he said.

- NZPA